Synonyms for martyr


Grammar : Noun
Spell : mahr-ter
Phonetic Transcription : ˈmɑr tər


Définition of martyr

Origin :
  • Old English martyr, from Late Latin martyr, from Doric Greek martyr, earlier martys (genitive martyros) in Christian use "martyr," literally "witness," probably related to mermera "care, trouble," from mermairein "be anxious or thoughtful," from PIE *(s)mrtu- (cf. Sanskrit smarati "remember," Latin memor "mindful;" see memory).
  • Adopted directly into most Germanic languages, but Norse substituted native formation pislarvattr, literally "torture-witness." General sense of "constant sufferer" is from 1550s. Martyr complex "exaggerated desire for self-sacrifice" is attested from 1920.
  • noun sufferer
  • noun sacrificing person
Example sentences :
  • The martyr's crown awaits them, for they display the martyr's spirit.
  • Extract from : « Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I » by Francis Augustus Cox
  • I must not make a martyr of myself, when I am one of so large a company.'
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • I found it in this cell, after the death of the martyr, and have preserved it as a relic.
  • Extract from : « The Black Tulip » by Alexandre Dumas (Pere)
  • She had beheld the Virgin, she was the chosen one, the martyr.
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • At bottom he is simply a martyr who has followed the wrong track.
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • He was the first to martyr of the war, and he ought to have a monument.
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 4, April 23, 1870 » by Various
  • But assuredly free woman will have to yield up her martyr's crown.
  • Extract from : « The Truth About Woman » by C. Gasquoine Hartley
  • Bunyan had suffered as a martyr; but it was as a martyr for truth, not for general licence.
  • Extract from : « Bunyan » by James Anthony Froude
  • After the role of deliverer, that of martyr was not to be despised.
  • Extract from : « The Fortune of the Rougons » by Emile Zola
  • When Mr. Hammond did come down to breakfast his manner was that of a martyr.
  • Extract from : « Thankful's Inheritance » by Joseph C. Lincoln

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019